AROUND TOWN: Alphas' Sepia Revue a stylish hit

When the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha promise a fashion “extravaganza,” believe them.

Members of the sorority, an international service organization dating back to 1908, brought the Chicago-based Sepia Fashion Revue of Vogue-Esquire Models to the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sept. 21, and a packed ballroom enjoyed every minute.

The key phrase that every woman there took home was, “It’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it.”

And what the statuesque runway models were wearing for the season: hounds-tooth, sky-high heels (including Christian Louboutins, with their signature red soles), fur and faux fur, elegant hats, thigh-high slits in skirts and coats exposing long, long, long legs, the color red, winter white, bling — even around hemlines, collarbone-length earrings and short, shiny skirts.

However, said the commentator, always remember that “you wear what you want to wear.”

The highlight of the show was “Fannie,” probably the oldest of the models but the woman with ATTITUDE, in all caps. Ms. Fannie hit that runway with a crash and commanded the eyes to follow her. She was a “Ms. Tude” delight and a crowd favorite, even enticing a couple of men from the audience (yes, you, Princeton Wright) to be part of her act.

Delighted with the loud, enthusiastic response to the evening were committee members Desiree Terrell (in sparkles), Tina Wright, M. Athenia Bailey, Queen Brown, Sheri Burks, Bessie Dowdell, Fannie Fowler (no, not that “Fannie”), Renita Menchion, Danielle Summerville, Dawn Thomas and Rachel Wesley.

Check out the photo gallery at coloradosprings.com.